Hold on to your stocking

There are some great virtual games to avoid this summer's crowded highways.

24 August 2010Mike Wilcox

Hold on to your stocking

Whether you think video games are for ankle biters or not, the current crop of consoles from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo already deliver a convincing experience for virtual racing fans and each is preparing its new weapon in the fiercely competitive console war.

In March, the bar is set to rise again with the local launch of Microsoft's Xbox 360, the first salvo in the latest-generation hardware battle. It brings the promise of even greater realism through richer graphics and sound, and more intelligent computer-controlled opponents. In short, your virtual racing is due for a serious make-over.

The electronic interactive entertainment industry has matured into a billion-dollar business and shows no signs of shifting down a gear. Sony has maintained leading the market share with the well-timed released of its hardware and supporting software titles. Microsoft hopes to steal the lead come March with the Xbox 360 and gain a sizeable base before Sony and Nintendo release their new hardware. This strategy is by no means the key to global domination, but all eyes will be on Microsoft.

Hardware amounts to little without great games to play on it - so here is Drive's top 10 driving games.

Gran Turismo 4

Runs on PS2 Rating G Score 4/5

Considered the undisputed king of racing simulations, this successful series received its second instalment on PlayStation 2 this year. GT4 still lacks features such as online racing but a host of impressive modes were introduced.

In addition to the regular driving tests and licence races, the new-look interface gives access to the GT Photo mode which captures and even prints out lifelike images of cars, and a new GT Director mode lets you take more of a back-seat role as a race manager. There is an astonishing stable of 650-plus real-world cars to drive.

Forza Motorsport

Runs on Xbox Rating G Score 4

This authentic racing sim finally gives Xbox owners their answer to the PlayStation-exclusive GT4. The driving physics are unforgiving at best but Forza provides a range of optional driving aids such as anti-lock brakes and stability management which help casual drivers adapt.

There is also a huge selection of licensed cars to purchase and tune but Forza has several unique features. Vehicles sustain visual and mechanical damage, and drivers can put their performance-tuned machines to the test against the best online competition on Xbox Live.

WRC Evolved

Runs on PS2 Rating G Score 3.5

The constant thrill of loose traction and hairy courses are what makes rally driving so exhilarating for drivers and spectators alike - and this is perfectly captured in this World Rally Championship game, sanctioned by the global motor sport body, FIA. It has all the drivers, cars and stages from the 2005 season - but players now face new and unpredictable challenges during race events such as man-made and natural obstacles.

New multi-car modes let drivers race friends locally and online under rally conditions. A selection of classic rally cars from the notorious "Group B" era is included so players can relive some historic racing action.

Formula One 05

Runs on PS2 Rating G Score 3.5

The perfect race lines and superior handling of F1 racing return exclusively on PlayStation. The console's race menu is exhaustive, including new and historic racing events.

Authentic stages await drivers in both race weekend and world championship modes. Between events drivers can tweak dozens of settings to improve laps times.

All the past season's teams, cars, drivers and circuits are available including Melbourne, Nurburgring and the new circuit in Turkey, Istanbul Park.

New online events allow up to 10 drivers from around the world to compete.

Adding a final touch, drivers can put themselves in 3D behind the wheel using an EyeToy camera.

Need For Speed: Most Wanted

Runs on PS2, Xbox, PC, GC, PSP Rating G Score 3.5

This picks up where the previous title left off. Drivers must now work their way up through an elite street racing syndicate of drivers, called the Blacklist, and compete for cash, pink slips and respect.

This is nothing new to street racing games, but Most Wanted ups the ante by introducing police pursuits and a bounty feature. Drivers must evade and ram police to increase their bounty and status on the Blacklist. The higher the bounty, the more wanted drivers are by the law as well as competitors. You can take off some heat by disguising your car with a new body of paint and rims.

Burnout Revenge

Runs on PS2, Xbox Rating M Score 4

The Burnout series continues to delight with its trademark high-speed thrills and spectacular spills. As with the previous annual updates, this fourth instalment shifts the stakes into overdrive. Burnout's now-infamous aggressive driving tactics see the inclusion of Traffic Checking, a feature encouraging drivers to ram traffic into the path of opponents or simply to cause traffic pile-ups to send the all-new revenge meter skyward.

New multi-level race circuits let players take down opponents from above and below them - but be warned, they'll be looking to do the same.

Crash events are bigger and more devastating. Online gamers can expect a wealth of new options to explore too.

Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition

Runs on PS2, Xbox Rating G Score 3

The developer, Rockstar, secured the ideal partner in crime for its arcade street racer when it teamed with the authority on the car-modding lifestyle, DUB magazine.

Fifty licensed import tuners, muscle cars and more can be bought then fitted with hundreds of after-market parts such as plates, lights, rims, fins, decals - and that's before even touching under the hood.

Players cruise around open-ended cities in search of secrets, hidden short-cuts and, of course, street race challenges such as check-point racing, circuits and capture-the-flag events. If you think the challengers sound tough, wait until the highway patrol catch up with you.

Mario Kart DS

Runs on Nintendo DS Rating G Score 4.5

Nintendo could have easily converted an earlier version of this hit series to work on the latest handheld gaming device, providing nothing new. Instead it worked hard to turn out the most comprehensive racer in the series.

Karting veterans will enjoy the mix of classic old tracks from the early games and 16 new courses to master. In addition to battles, time-trials and the main grand prix, there are race-inspired missions to help keep the competition fresh. The most innovative feature is the introduction of wireless internet racing against others anywhere in the world.

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories

Runs on PSP Rating MA15+ Score 4

GTA is not strictly a driving series but its global success certainly warrants a mention here. Running it on Sony's handheld is a sight to behold. An entirely new plot uses familiar faces and locations from earlier games. Once again the open-ended city can be explored by whatever means of transport players can car-jack - from pushbikes, choppers and muscle cars to taxis, ambulances, school buses and (if you're game enough) police cars.

Driving the dozens of cars is half the fun. New shorter missions and wireless multiplayer modes round out this must-have title.

Project Gotham Racing 3 (preview)

Runs on Xbox 360 Due March

PGR3 heads up the next generation of racing games created exclusively for Microsoft's new console. Launched only weeks ago in the northern hemisphere, the 360 hardware delivers the next level in digital entertainment and high-definition gaming. Racing fans won't be disappointed - PGR3's authentic cars and locations are modelled with the kind of realism not previously seen on any console.

The Kudos system once again awards drivers for style and faultless driving while preparing them for the ultimate challenge, an online career and global ranking.

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The size of your tyre is located on the sidewall of your tyre.It will be similar to the sample below.